Cook County News Herald

Tax volunteers ready to help




Every Monday during tax season the Tax Volunteers are at the Grand Marais Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and every Monday night they are at the Community Center’s log cabin from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to help people with their taxes. However, the last tax day for the Community Center will be Thursday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tax Volunteers will be continue to be at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at the Grand Portage Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 is the last tax day at Birch Grove, and Friday, April 16 is the last tax day at Grand Portage.

The Tax Volunteers can e-file your federal and MN tax returns right away and then enter information from your Cook County property tax statement for property tax refunds at a later time when you bring them to us. Since AARP e-files returns, the IRS accepts without penalty all e-filed returns that are received before April 21, 2010.

We can usually start two to four taxpayer returns per hour, depending upon their difficulty. We take people on a first-come, first-served basis. The shortest times have been running 1½ to two hours, provided not many taxpayers are in line ahead of you. When lots of people are there, wait times can be three to six hours. Please ask the volunteer who first talks to you how long it might take for your return to be entered into the computer and ready for the last step.

If you need to leave, however, and can come back later in the day or even next week, then in 20 to 30 minutes we can collect the information and documents necessary to process your return. When you come back, you may still have to wait in line until it’s your turn even if the return is completed.

The last step usually takes 30 minutes and involves you and a Tax Volunteer double checking the return against your information to assure accuracy before the return is finalized. We will print out a copy for you and have you sign an IRS form. The preparation process will then be complete and you can go home. We usually send (e-file) your return to the IRS and the State of MN the next day.

Questions can be answered by Harriett Walsh at (218)387-1467, or

Chuck Flickinger—AKA dad6bear­—

at

(218)475-2776.

Please bring the following when you come to have your tax returns prepared:

1. Social Security cards and birth dates for all your household dependents. 2. W2 forms showing employer & income.

3. Interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV or equivalent), and retirement (1099-R)

documents.

4. A ny other documents sent to you for tax returns (W2-G, 1099-MISC, 1098, etc.). 5. A copy of last year’s federal & MN tax returns if you have them.

6. A rent refund certificate (see your apartment manager or landlord) or your Cook

County property tax statement for 2010, when you receive them.


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